Sunday, October 23, 2016

This turned out to be quite a quick and easy dress to make. It took just a little bit of time to match the plaid but overall it's not bad at all. I made slight alteration to the pattern. I shortened the sleeves to 3/4 sleeve length. I eliminated the front split neck.

The green brown plaid fabric is quite drab. So I searched through my stash
notions and found some remnant green bias tape from x'mas, and some
black buttons.I flattened the green bias tape and sewed it onto the centre front. I sewed buttons onto the tape so that it looked like a faux buttoned placket. Then I bound the neckline with the same green bias tape. I thought it looked alright until I put it on me. Somehow I thought it looked a bit matronly. I don't know if it's because of the fabric pattern or the trim/buttons that I added. What do you think?

I wore my purple tights and knee high boots to make the dress look less matronly. I wore it out today and it was very very comfortable to wear.

I still have some of the drab knit left. I'll see if I have enough to make a jacket. It would be fun to get another chance to brighten the knit up with other remnants fabric/notions in my stash!

Saturday, October 22, 2016

While working on the x'mas presents for other people, I had this urge to make something for myself - yes I'm a selfish seamstress too! the MAGAM (Make A garment A Month) October theme is 'One'. The way I interpret this is a 'One pattern Many Looks'. I looked at my tried and true dress patterns and chose Butterick 5146 again - the same pattern that I used for the September MAGAM dress.

I dug through my huge fabric stash and found this brown/green plaid knit that I have had for 10 years. It's time to use it! It's not the most attractive fabric but it's perfect for Autumn/Winter garments. I thought I could somehow brighten up the drab colour a bit with my huge stash of notions.

I looked through Pinterest and found a few plaid dresses as inspirations:

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

The dresses are very simple but I simple dresses are usually more versatile for different occasions which is what I want with the garments I make. The only thing that is slightly challenging is probably having to match up the plaid pattern. Hopefully the dress will sew up easily and quickly!

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Yes I said it! It's time to plan my X'mas sewing projects. I always try to sew/make some of the X'mas projects for my family and some of my close friends. My kids, my husband and my mom always get some handmade stuff from me each x'mas. This year, however, my mom-in-law actually requested that I make a pair of palazzo pants for her for x'mas (I didn't suggest it). My nerves!!! I said I would do my best and if she didn't like the pants, she didn't have to wear them. She has very specific ideas and measurements so I will have to make sure that I reserve lots of time to sew those pants!

My kids always get new pyjamas from me. My son has really outgrown the PJs that I made for him a couple of years ago (I made them super big then). My daughter has lots of gently used clothes from my friends so her need for PJs are not as urgent. I have lots of cotton flannel in my stash so the PJs project should be quick and easy. I also have lots of fleece in my stash so I may make some fleece vest/jackets/pants for them too.

My mom likes wearing vests for layering so I should make her a couple of vests in different fabrics/colour.

As for my husband, he actually has too much clothing (his mom bought lots of clothes for him over the years that he never wore) so I'm not sure what to make for him. Any ideas?

For my brother and sis-in-law, I always try to make some home decor soft furnishings for them because they really like shopping for clothes themselves. I think I have some nice home decor fabrics in my stash?

As for my close friends, I usually make bags for them and their kids. Tote bags are great for moms. Smaller bags are usually welcomed by kids. I guess I'll see what I have in my fabric stash first.

So there you have it. I have lots of things I have to start sewing right now if I am to finish everything before mid-December. What are you sewing for this holiday?

Sunday, October 2, 2016

I have been sewing lots of dresses since I started sewing in the late 1990s. It's funny because I was such a tomboy growing up that I would burst into tears if my mom force me to wear a dress (other than my school uniform). But now I find that dresses can be extremely versatile for difference occasions, different weather conditions and of course make getting dressed in the morning much easier (yes!).

For September I made a knit dress with a remnant medium weight, cotton check double knit that I bought 7 years ago. I used a tried and true Butterick 5146 which I have tweaked to my body shape. I have used this pattern for this dress and this dress.

I shortened the waist, made the deep v-neck less deep and made it a short sleeves dress. There is a little bit of excess fabric at my back due to my sway back but I'm not going to worry too much about it. I contemplated making patch pockets for the dress but I thought it would make it too casual looking.

I wore the dress out already and it was super comfortable. Another easy to wear dress that I can use for the office, for leisure and for 3 seasons!